A French honeymooner was attacked and killed by a shark on Wednesday while he was surfing not far from the beach on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, authorities said.

The 36-year-old was in the sea off the popular beach of Brisants de Saint-Gilles when a shark charged at him twice, prompting a nearby swimmer to raise the alert when he saw blood on the water, the local prefecture said.

Lifeguards jumped in the water to fetch the victim, who had lost a lot of blood and was in cardiac and respiratory arrest. They brought him back to the beach but were unable to revive him.

The shark had bitten the surfer on the arm and on the thigh. His wife was on the beach when the attack happened, and is being treated for shock, authorities said.

The deadly shark attack was the first this year on the island, where three people were killed by sharks in the past two years.

Last summer, another surfer in the Reunion island was attacked by a shark that tore off his arm and leg, although he survived.

Sharks are not man-eaters, but sometimes mistake humans for their natural prey, like seals or tortoises, and at other times hurt surfers as they "mouth" them out of curiosity, experts say.

Last year, 78 shark attacks were reported around the world, of which eight were fatal.

The series of shark attacks in the Reunion island has seen a number of measures implemented. Local authorities have initiated several scientific studies to try and better understand the way of life of the animals.

People have also been deployed near beaches on boats or in the water to keep an eye on swimmers and surfers and spot sharks before they attack.

Around 100 people paid homage on Thursday to the French surfer who was killed the day before, after being attacked by a shark on Reunion Island. The 36 year-old was on his honeymoon when the drama took place.

One minute of silence was observed on Brisants beach in Saint-Gilles in honour of Stéphane Berhamel, who lost his life after a shark fatally bit him in the arm and thigh on Wednesday.

Berhamel had been surfing not far from the popular Brisants beach, when a shark charged at him twice. A nearby swimmer notified lifeguards after blood was noticed in the water.

Rescuers tried to revive Berhamel, who had gone into cardiac and respiratory arrest from the attack, but were unable to save him.

Berhamel’s wife was on the beach when the attack took place and was being treated for shock, according to authorities.

According to a fellow surfer, Berhamel was warned in the water to stay away from certain areas, but ignored advice.

Robert Boulanger, the President of Reunion’s surfer’s league, told the AFP News Agency that surfers had been alerted on Wednesday to the threat of sharks.

“But perhaps there wasn’t enough information for the general public and tourists,” said Boulanger. “We will work on this.”

The couple, from Morteau in the east of France, were on their honeymoon at the time of the attack. Berhamel also leaves behind an 18 month-old child.

This is the first deadly shark attack of the year on Reunion Island. Three people have been killed by sharks there in the last two years.